Mattress edge binding machine and method of edge binding

ABSTRACT

A rotatably supported table for supporting a mattress assembly including bottom, top and side panels of covering material, with one broadside in a horizontal upwardly facing position for rotation relative to a sewing machine supported adjacent the table with its sewing instrumentalities at a predetermined level, a compression platen supported above the table for compressive engagement with the upwardly facing broadside of the mattress assembly for compressing the mattress assembly to bring the upwardly facing side and the sewing instrumentalities into a substantially common plane with a sufficient slack in the covering material of the top and side panels at the edge formed by the intersection of the upwardly facing broadside and the narrow side to enable joining the edges of the panel for presentation to the sewing instrumentalities, a carriage adjacent the table, said carriage being movable radially with respect to the center of rotation of the table, said carriage supporting the sewing machine and a coupling connecting the carriage to the table operable to cause the carriage to following the contour of the table as the latter is rotated relative to the carriage to maintain the sewing instrumentalities in operative relation to said edges to be sewn as the assembly is rotated relative thereto.

United States Patent Kalning et al.

[541 MATTRESS EDGE BINDING MACHINE AND METHOD OF EDGE BINDING [72]Inventors: Frederick E. Kalning, Quincy; Howard E.

Redman, Weymouth, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Mathewson Corporation, Weymouth,

Mass

[22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1969 211 Appl. No.: 887,592

[45] Feb. 15,1972

Primary Examiner-Alfred R. Guest Att0rneyRoberts, Cushman & Grover [57]ABSTRACT A rotatably supported table for supporting a mattress assemblyincluding bottom, top and side panels of covering material, with onebroadside in a horizontal upwardly facing position for rotation relativeto a sewing machine supported adjacent the table with its sewinginstrumentalities at a predetermined level, a compression platensupported above the table for compressive engagement with the upwardlyfacing broadside of the mattress assembly for compressing the mattressassembly to bring the upwardly facing side and the sewinginstrumentalities into a substantially common plane with a sufficientslack in the covering material of the top and side panels at the edgeformed by the intersection of the upwardly facing broadside and thenarrow side to enable joining the edges of the panel for presentation tothe sewing instrumentalities, a carriage adjacent the table, saidcarriage being movable radially with respect to the center of rotationof the table, said carriage supporting the sewing machine and a couplingconnecting the carriage to the table operable to cause the carriage tofollowing the contour of the table as the latter is rotated relative tothe carriage to maintain the sewing instrumentalities in operativerelation to said edges to be sewn as the assembly is rotated relativethereto.

21 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 15 I972 3.8% .954

sum 2 or 5 MATTRESS EDGE BINDING MACHINE AND METHOD OF EDGE BINDINGBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A machine for joining the edges of coveringmaterial at the broad sides with the edges of the narrow side of amattress assembly is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,568, wherein themattress is supported on a table and a sewing machine is mountedadjacent the table for movement therearound to effect the sewingoperation. As thus constructed, the operator must backstep around thetable ahead of the sewing machine and while thus backstepping press theedge of the mattress assembly down with his elbow to obtain slack in thematerial and draw the edges together to enable feeding them into thesewing machine for sewing. The operation is difficult, slow and exceptunder ideal conditions seldom uniform. Clamping means have been used insome machines for compressing the mattress assembly to facilitate sewingsuch as shown in Fisher U.S. Pat. No. 807,451, Gail U.S. Pat. No.1,857,371 and Micon U.S. Pat. No. 1,947,216, however, these machinesare'not designed for automation either through rotation of the tablerelative to the sewing machine or movement of the sewing machine aboutthe table. Cash U.S. Pat. No. 3,083,654 shows a machine provided with asewing machine and an operator supported carriage for movement around amattress assembly supporting table, however, no means is provided forcompressing the mattress assembly. It is accordingly the purpose of thisinvention to provide an edge binding machine which will reduce thearduous process of edge sewing heretofore required by eliminating theneed for manually compressing the mattress assembly and drawing theedges of the material together for presentation to the sewing machine,and to provide for improved uniformity and a reduction in the timerequired for effecting the sewing operation.

SUMMARY The machine herein illustrated is designed to join the marginaledges of the covering material for a mattress core comprising a borderpanel at the narrow side and covering panels at the broad sides andsimultaneously to apply binding strips thereto.

In accordance with the invention the machine in one form comprises atable providing a horizontal surface for receiving and supporting onebroad side of a mattress core assembled together with a border panel andcover panels with its other broad side facing upwardly, means forsupporting the table for rotation about its center, a sewing machineembodying sewing instrumentalities adapted to operate on the upper edgeof the assembly, means adjacent the table on which the sewing machine ismounted, said means being movable relative to the center of rotation ofthe table along the line passing through said center and meansassociated with the table and with the last means operable to hold thelast means at a predetermined position with respect to the edge of thetable so that the sewing machine is supported thereby in a positionadjacent the upper edge of the mattress assembly to be sewn. There ismeans for effecting rotation of the table relative to the sewing machineto present successive portions of the edges of the covering materialaround the entire mattress assembly to the sewing instrumentalities,means for raising and lowering the table according to the thickness ofthe assembly to be operated upon and pressure applying means forengagement with-the upwardly facing side of the mattress assembly tocompress the mattress assembly to a position such that its upwardlyfacing side and the sewing instrumentalities are in a common plane andsuch that there is sufficient slack in the covering material to enabledrawing the edges together for presentation to the sewing machine. Thesewing machine is movable inwardly and outwardly relative to the centeror rotation of the table as'the mattress assembly isrotated relativethereto and there is an the edges to be sewn to the sewinginstrumentalities. In addition to movement of the sewing machineaccording to the long and short sides of the mattress assembly thesewing machine is yieldable on its support to compensate for localvariations in the contour of the edge face of the mattress assembly, thesewing machine embodying a follower which by engagement with the edgeface of the mattress assembly causes the sewing machine to follow itscontour.

Alternatively, the sewing machine may be replaced by means foradhesively joining the marginal edges of the covering material and ofadhesively applying a binding strip. Thus, in place of the sewinginstrumentalities a pair of opposed rotating rolls are mounted adjacentthe upper edge of the mattress, at substantially the same level as thesewing instrumentalities were mounted, between which the marginal edgesof the covering material are presented for movement together toward asecond pair of opposed rolls spaced therefrom in the direction ofmovement of the edges by means of which the binding strip is led downover the joined edges of the marginal material and applied thereto. Anozzle is arranged just ahead of each pair of rolls one to inject theadhesive between the marginal edges of the covering material and theother against the side which is to have contact with the edges.Optionally, the nozzles may be omitted and the covering material and thebinding strip precoated with a heat-activatable adhesive. In this casean oscillator or a pair of electrodes are disposed adjacent the secondpair of rolls and these are connected either to an ultrasonic orhigh-frequency source to effect activation of the adhesive withoutscorching the material.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. I is an elevation of the machine;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the sewing machine pivotally supported formovement from an operative to a lateral position to permit elevation anddepression of the table;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation to a much larger scale showing thesewing machine in operative relation to the mattress the edge of whichis being sewn;

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary elevation partly in section showing a controlswitch for changing the speed of the motor by means of which the tableis rotated;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section taken on the line4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. I to a much largerscale;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. I to a much largerscale;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective of a mattress core with the componentsof the covering therefor, comprising a border panel for the narrow sideand covering panels for the broad sides;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of the finished article;

FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 99 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a vertical section through a mattress and covering supportedon a table, the normal thickness of the uncompressed mattress beingshown in dotted lines and the compressed thickness being shown in fulland showing slack in the covering material at the top side which enablesbringing the edges together for joining;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view showing instrumentalities foradhesively joining the edges;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line FIG. 13 is afragmentary vertical section showing ultrasonic generator for actuatingthe adhesive on the joinededges;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section showing aheat-activatable adhesive applied to the marginal edges of the coveringpanels;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary plan of a length of binding strip with aheat'activatable adhesive applied;

FIG. 16 diagrammatically illustrates a belt drive to thesewing machinewhich yieldably biases the latter toward the table; and

FIG. 17 is in elevation taken from the left side of FIG. 16.

in accordance with the invention the machine, FIG. 1, com prisesessentially a table upon which one broadside of a mattress assembly isadapted to be supported with its other broadside facing upwardly in asubstantially horizontal position, a pressure applying platen 12 bymeans of which pressure is applied to the upwardly facing broadside ofthe mattress assembly to compress the mattress assembly sufficiently toprovide slack in the border and cover panels of the covering materialwhich enables drawing these edges together for sewing, and a sewingmachine 14 mounted adjacent the table for sewing the edges andsimultaneously applying a binding strip thereto.

The table 10 is a rigid flat plate of rectangular configurationcorresponding approximately in size to the dimensions of the mattress tobe operated upon supported on a turret 16 by means of which it may berotated about a vertical axis perpendicular to the broad surfaces of themattress relative to the sewing machine 14. The turret 16 is fixed tothe upper end of a cylindrical bearing 18 rotatably mounted in a hollowpedestal 20 the lower end of which is fixed to a base frame 22. Thetable 10 is mounted on the turret for heightwise adjustment thereon bymeans of screws 24 there being four such screws shown one at each comerof the table. The upper end of each screw 24 in nonrotatably secured tothe underside of the table and each screw extends downwardly therefromthrough a threaded nut 26 secured to a hub 26a rotatably captivated onthe upper side of the turret by a bracket member 28 and operable byrotation to move the screw engaged therewith vertically. Each hub 26ahas on it a sprocket 26b and a chain c is entrained about the sprocketsand about a sprocket s driven by a motor MI by means of which the nuts26 may be rotated in unison to raise or lower the table. The turret 16has on its lower side a peripherally extending ring gear 30 .by means ofwhich it is rotated as will appear hereinafter. To hold the mattressassembly firmly in place on the table bracket plates 10a, FIG. 2, areprovided along the four sides so as to project upwardly above thesurface of the table.

The pressure applying platen 12 is supported in a horizontal positionabove the table 10 at one end of a horizontal arm 32, the other end ofwhich is provided with a sleeve 34, FIGS. 1 and 6, rotatably supportedon the upper end of a post 36. As illustrated the post 36 has a neck 36aof reduced diameter which extends through the upper end of the sleeveand the latter sets on a bearing assembly 340 resting'on the shoulder atthe junction of the neck 36a with the post 36. A washer 36b and nut 360at the upper end of the neck hold the sleeve against the bearingassembly 34a. The sleeve is held concentric with the axis of the post bya plurality of roller bearing 36d mounted peripherally thereof on pins36e fixed to a collar 36f welded to the post.

The platen 12 is rotatably supported at the distal end of the arm 32,FIGS. 1 and 5, at the lower side, by a screw 38 and adapter 38a. Thescrew 38 is supported within a nut 38b rotatably supported in a bearingblock 39 mounted on the upper end of a hollow post 40 the lower end ofwhich is supported between and secured to beams 32a-32a which comprisethe arm 32. The lower end of the screw 38 is fixed by a pin 38d to theupper end of the adapted 38a which extend downwardly therefrom throughthe hollow post 40 and through the arm 32, and is fixed at its lower endto the platen. An internally threaded sprocket 42 is fixed to the nut38b above the block 39, rotation of which will effect vertical movementof the screw 38. A motor M2 is mounted on the post 40, FIG. 1, and itsdrive shaft 43 has fixed to it a sprocket 44. A chain 02 is entrainedabout the sprockets 42, 44. Operation of the motor M2 in one directionenables raising the platen and in the other direction lowering it. Atthe upper side of platen 12 there is an annular friction disc 46 and atthe lower side of the arm a corresponding annular friction disc 48 whichare cooperable when the platen is raised to prevent rotations of theplaten about the vertical axis of the screw. When the platen is loweredfor engagement with the mattress assembly the friction discs aredisengaged so that the platen is free to turn without restraint.

The end of the arm 32 pivotally mounted on the post 36 as related has onit a bearing sleeve 34, and this bearing sleeve has fixed to it asprocket 50. A motor M3 is mounted on the post, FIG. 1, and has fixed toits shaft a sprocket 52. A gear reduction unit 51 is also mounted on thepost which has an input shaft 51a and an output shaft 51b. The inputshaft 510 has a sprocket 51c thereon connected to the sprocket 52 by achain C3 and the outward shaft 51b has on it a sprocket 51d connected tothe sprocket 50 by a chain C. Thus, there is pro vided means for turningthe arm 32 about the vertical axis of the post 36 from a position inwhich its longitudinal axis intersects the center of rotation of thetable to a lateral position such that the upper surface of the table isexposed to enable loading and removing mattress assemblies withoutinterference from the platen. The pivotal movement of the arm 32 to thelateral position is limited by an adjustable stop 56 which by engagementwith a limit switch S1 stops the motor M3.

The sewing machine 14 is designed for edge sewing of mattresses and issupported on the base frame 22 adjacent the table 10 for movementradially toward and away from the center of rotation of the table, itslateral position being fixed so that the sewing operation is one inwhich the edge of the mattress is rotated relative to the sewinginstrumentalities of the sewing machine to present successive portionsof the margins of the covering material to the instrumentalities andwherein the sewing machine moves inwardly and outwardly as the distanceof the edge of the mattress from the center of rotation changes with thelong and short sides of the mattress. A carriage 58, FIG. 1 and 9,supports the sewing machine for radial movement and comprises a rigidplate 60 having at its underside bearing blocks 62-62 slidably mountedon a horizontally disposed radially extending shaft 64. The oppositeends of the shaft 64 are fixed in a radially extending substantiallyrectangular frame 66 secured to the base frame. The plate 60 issupported primarily by the shaft 64 for radial movement toward and fromthe table and is prevented from tilting by engagement of verticallyspaced rollers 66b-66b mounted at its underside with the upper and lowerside of a flange 66c at the inner side of one of the side members 660 ofthe frame 66. A pedestallike bracket 68, FIG. 1, is secured at its lowerend to the plate 60 and has at its upper end a bearing 70 in which thereis a vertically mounted shaft 72 the lower end of which is rotatablysupported in a step bearing 71 fast to the plate 60. A swivel frame 73(FIG. 3) is pivotally supported for swinging movement about the verticalaxis of the shaft 72 by means of vertically spaced bosses 74 and 76extending therefrom which are rotatably mounted on the shaft 72. Athrust bearing in the form of a collar 75 supports the upper boss 76high enough on the shaft 72 so that the lower end of the swivel frame isabove the plate 60 and hence free to swing relative thereto. The upperend of the swivel frame 73 is situated at a predetermined height withrespect to the base frame 22 near the level of the table 10 and thesewing machine 14 is mounted thereon for movement relative thereto bymeans of bearing blocks 78-78, FIG. 3. The bearing blocks 78-78 arefixed to the underside of a pivot plate 79 which has on its upper side apin 83. The pin 83 rotatably supports an adapter 82 by means of whichthe sewing machine is mounted in an inclined position such that itsneedle bar is in a suitable position for sewing. The sewing machine isyieldably urged toward the table by the belt drive, but will yield tolocal variations in the edge face of the mattress assembly as themattress assembly is turned relative thereto. Such yield is necessary tomake sure that the sewing instrumentalities follow closely the contourof the mattress assembly and this is accomplished by the means of afollower plate 114 in which engages the narrow side of the mattressassembly. This is achieved as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 by a belt81 entrained about a series of sheaves 85, 87a, 87b and 89 and by afixed sheave 91 and a spring pressed sheave 93. Since the sewing machinenormally overhangs the table it must be swung to a lateral position topermit the platen to be lowered and raised and this is provided for bythe pivot pin 83 by means of which the adapter 82 is secured to theplate 79.

The swivel frame 73 is caused to follow the contour of the table that isto move inwardly and outwardly relative to the axis of rotation of thetable as the distance of the edge of the seam varies with respect to thecenter of rotation by a coupling member 86, FIGS. 3 and 4, secured tothe swivel frame 73 comprising an arm 88, FIG. 4, projecting radiallyinwardly from the frame at the inner end of which there is a verticallydisposed roller 90 having rolling engagement with the inner edge 92 of aperipherally extending track 94 on the turret. The coupling member 86has on it horizontally disposed laterally extending pivotally supportedarm 94-94 provided with rollers 96-96 for engagement with a verticallydisposed flange 98 integral with the track 92 which assists inmaneuvering the sewing machine at the comers as the latter are presentedto the sewing instrumentalities.

The turret 16 is rotated relative to the sewing machine by means of amotor M4 mounted on the swivel frame 73 which drives through suitablemeans a gear 100 which meshes with the annular gear 30 on the turret. Abelt b, FIG. 2, connected to a pulley on the motor M4 drives the sewingmachine. It is desirable to decrease the rate of rotation of the tableas the corners of the mattress assembly approach the sewinginstrumentalities and then restore it to its normal rate of rotation asthey recede from the sewing instrumentalities. This is accomplished asshown in FIG. 3a by means of a microswitch Ms secured to an arm 11pivotally mounted at 13 on the ann 88. A spindle 15 is pivotally mountedat 17 on the arm 88 with its upper end adjacent the microswitch and itslower end adjacent the flange 98. A lever 19 is rigidly secured at oneend to the upper end of the spindle by nuts 21 with its distal endoverly ing a switch actuating pin 23 of the microswitch. A spring 25connected at one end to the lever 19 and at the other end to the arm 11yieldably holds the switch pin 23 engaged with the lever 19. The lowerend of the spindle has on it a roller 27. A cam member 29 is secured bya screw 31 to the inner side of the flange 98 at the corner in aposition to be engaged by the roller and by such engagement to displacethe roller thereby tilting the spindle in a direction to actuate themicroswitch and slow the motor down as a corner approaches theinstrumentality and conversely to release the microswitch as the cornerrecedes from the instrumentalities.

The swivel frame 73 has at its lower end just above the carriage plate60 an operator supporting platform 110 adapted to support the operatorfor movement inwardly and outwardly relative to the table so that hemoves in unison with the sewing machine and, therefore, is enabled tomanipulate the edges of the covering material to insure presentation tothe sewing instrumentalities. As illustrated the sewing machine isprovided with a coil of binding material and folding means 112 forsupplying the binding material BS to be applied to the edgessimultaneously with the sewing operation. The means for feeding, foldingand applying the binding strip is disclosed in Patent 3,031,985 andhence need not be described herein.

A foot-operated pedal 116 is mounted on the frame 73 for controlling themotor M4 to enable starting or stopping of same or of controlling itsspeed of operation.

In operation a mattress core which may, for example, be an inner springunit A, FIG. 7, with a cover comprising a border panel SP for the narrowside and cover panels PB and TP for the broad sides applied thereto butwith the edges unjoined is disposed on the table 10, the latter havingbeen previously adjusted heightwise according to the thickness of theassembly. The pressure applying platen 12 is now swung from its lateralposition to a position above the table and then lowered into engagementwith the upwardly facing broad side of the mattress assembly to compressthe core until the upwardly facing side of the assembly lies in a planein which the operating instrumentalities for joining the edges arecontained as illustrated by the dot and dash lines marked compressionline shown in F IG. 1. At this point there will be sufficient slack inthe border panel of the covering material and to top cover panel of thecovering material so that the edges Te and Se may be easily grasped anddrawn together for presentation to the sewing machine. After loweringthe platen to effect compression, the sewing machine is swung intooperative position whereupon the operator draws the edges of the panelstogether, presents them together with the leading end of the bindingstrip BS to the sewing instrumentalities, starts the machine inoperation by starting the motor M4 which rotates the table and effectsoperation of the sewing instrumentalities so that the table turnscoincidentally with the operation of the sewing instrumentalities andpresents successive portions of the composite edge E to the machine forsewing. As the table turns with respect to the sewing machine the sewingmachine is moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the center ofrotation of the table, and since the operator is supported by theoperative supporting platform and moves therewith he can easily maintaina grasp upon the edges of the panels and thus continuously anduninterruptedly present the edges to the machine for sewing. Since themattress assembly is held firmly in position on the table the sewingmachine must be freely yieldable relative to the narrow edge face of theassembly to compensate for local variations in the contour of the narrowedge face. Yield of the sewing machine is afforded by the slidablymounted plate 79 which is held forwardly by the belt tension but whichpermits movement relative to the narrow side of the assembly as guidedby the follower 114. Such yield is essential to successful edge binding.

The aforesaid structure enables automation to a considerable extent ofthe edge binding operation, eliminates the heretofore extremely arduousoperation of manual compression of the mattress assembly during thesewing operation to enable drawing the edges to be sewn together andfurther the necessity of the operator having to walk backwardlycontinuously throughout the sewing operation as the sewing machine movesaround the table.

The inner spring unit may be comprised of a rigid or flexible framemember to which a plurality of coils are attached or it may be comprisedof compressible material such as sponge rubber or its equivalent.Usually the broad sides are covered with sisal or tuflex pads, on whichis placed mattress filling such as cotton, polyfoam, quilting and thelike and finally the covering panels are placed over the broad andnarrow sides and attached to the broder wires of the inner spring coreleaving the edges of the covering panel free to be sewn.

It is also within the scope of the invention to substitute for thesewing machine other means for joining the edges of the coveringmaterial and the binding material thereto, for example, means foradhesively joining the edges as diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 10to 13, inclusive. As there shown the inner spring unit A with the borderpanel and top and cover panels applied thereto is placed on the table 10with one broadside facing upwardly whereupon the platen is brought downto squeeze the assembly to less than its normal thickness to produceslack at the edges. The edges are then grasped by the operator andpresented to opposed rotating feed rolls 116-116, FIGS. 11 and 12, whichpress the edges together and simultaneously exert a feeding action whichin conjunction with the turning of the table on which the assembly issupported advance the joined marginal edges relative to the bind ingstrip BS and to a pair of opposed rolls 118-118 which apply the bindingstrip to the joined edges of the covering material. A nozzle 120 isarranged to inject a stream or spray of adhesive between the marginaledges Te, Se of the covering material before they are brought intoengagement with the rolls 116-116 and a nozzle 122 is arranged to applya stream or spray of adhesive against the side of the binding strip BSwhich is folded by the folder employed in the sewing machine shown inthe aforesaid patent for engagement with the joined marginal edges ofthe covering material. The assembly is now turned over and the bottomcovering panel B? is joined to the border panel SP in the same way.

Optionally, the nozzles may be omitted or merely rendered inoperativeand the covering material and a binding strip employed which has beenprecoated with a heat-activatable adhesive a, FIGS. 14 and 15. After theedges have been drawn together and the binding strip applied the edges,they are drawn between parts 119-121 connected to an ultrasonic orhigh-frequency power source P which will activate the adhesive and causethe parts to adhere. If a very fast heat setting adhesive is employedthe rolls 118- 118 may be used to effect activation of the adhesive, forexample, by means of resistance coil; however, care must be taken toemploy an adhesive which will become adhesive below that of which thematerial will scorch.

The feed rolls and nozzles are mounted on the same adapter as was thesewing machine so as to be movable inwardly and outwardly in consonancewith the rotation of the table thereby to maintain them in operativerelation to the edge of the mattress'and are yieldably on the adapter soas to follow local changes in the contour along the edges.

The sewing machine employed herein and by means of which the bindingstrip is applied to the edges of the covering material as they are drawntogether is of the kind shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,031,985. The feed rolls116-116 employed in FIGS. 11 and 12 are illustrated as cylindrical,however, if it is found desirable to apply an in-feeding action as wellas a forward-feeding action to prevent the margin from running out therolls may be provided with helical ribs or may be tapered as shown inU.S. Pat. Nos. 2,251,284 and 2,571,140.

' We claim:

1. A machine for operating on a mattress assembly comprising a core andcovering panels for joining the contiguous edges of the covering panelsat the edges constituted by the intersections of the narrow side withthe broadsides, comprising a table supporting the assembly with onebroad side facing outwardly, means supporting the table for rotationabout its center, instrumentalities adapted to operate on the edges atthe outwardly facing side to join said edges, a carriage on which theinstrumentalities are mounted, a track disposed radially with respect tothe center of rotation of the table on which the carriage is mounted formovement to and from the center of rotation of the table, meansconnecting the table and said carriage operable to hold the carriage ata predetermined position wit respect to the edge of the table, such thatsaid instrumentalities supported thereby are in operative engagementwith respect to said contiguous edges of the covering panels at saidoutwardly facing edge of the assembly, and means for effecting rotationof the table relative to said instrumentalities to present successiveportions of said contiguous edges of the panels to saidinstrumentalities.

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said instrumentalitiescomprise means for sewing said edges of the panels.

3. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said instrumentalitiescomprise means for applying a binding to said edges of the panels andsewing the binding strip thereto.

4. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said means for rotating thetable comprises a motor and there is means for controlling the operationof the motor to reduce the rate of rotation of the table as the cornersapproach the instrumentalities and then restore the rate of rotation asthe corners recede from the instrumentalities.

5. A machine according to claim 4, wherein said means comprises amicroswitch in the motor circuit and a cam operable by engagement with adisengagement from the microswitch as the corners approach and recedefrom the instrumentalities to decrease the rate of rotation from itsnormal rate to a lesser rate and then restoring it to its normal rate.

6. A machine according to claim 4, wherein said means comprises amicroswitch mounted on the table for rotation therewith, a springpressed arm supported with an end in engagement with the microswitch,and a cam on the table support, operable as a corner approaches theinstrumentalities to cause said arm to actuate the microswitch to slowthe motor down and when it recedes from the instrumentalities to actuatethe main switch to cause the motor to return to its normal speed.

7. A machine according to claim 4, wherein said means comprises amicroswitch mounted on the table, a spring pressed arm supported inengagement with the microswitch holding it inoperative, a spindle to oneend of which the arm is fixed, said spindle being pivotally supportedwith its other end adjacent the support for the table, a roller on saidend of the spindle and a cam mounted on the support adjacent the pathalong which the spindle is moved by rotation of the table, at a positionalong said path such that as a comer of the table approaches theinstrumentalities the cam will engage the roller at said end of thespindle and effect actuation of the microswitch to slow the rate ofrotation of the table and as it recedes the instrumentalities the camwill disengage the roller and cause the spindle to disengage themicroswitch to restore the table to its normal rate of rotation.

8. A machine for operating on a mattress assembly comprising a core andcovering panels for joining the contiguous edges of the covering panelsat the edges constituted by the intersections of the narrow side withthe broad sides, comprising a table for supporting the assembly with onebroad side facing outwardly, means supporting the table for rotationabout a fixed center, a sewing machine embodying sewinginstrumentalities adapted to operate on said edge facing outwardly, acarriage on which the sewing machine is mounted, a track disposedradially with respect to the center of rotation of the table on whichthe carriage is mounted for movement to and from the center of rotationof the table, means connecting the table and said carriage operable tohold the carriage at a predetermined position with respect to the edgeof the table, such that the sewing instrumentalities of the sewingmachine supported thereby are in operative engagement with relation tosaid contiguous edges of the covering panels at said outwardly facingedges of the core and means for effecting rotation of the table relativeto the sewing machine to present successive portions of said contiguousedges of the panels to said instrumentalities.

9. A machine according to claim 8, including power operable means on thecarriage and kinematic means connecting the table and carriage operableby said power operable means to effect rotation of the table relative tothe carriage and the sewing machine supported thereby.

10. A machine according to claim 8, including power operable means onthe carriage operable connected to the tables for effecting rotation ofthe table relative to the carriage, an operator supporting platformsupported by the carriage upon which an operator may ride with thesewing machine as the latter moves inwardly and outwardly relative tothe center of rotation of the table to enable manipulation of the workduring the sewing operation and a control device on the carriage bymeans of which the operator may stop, start and regulate operation ofsaid power operable means.

11. A machine for operating on a mattress assembly comprising a core andcovering panels, for joining the contiguous edges of the panels at theedges constituted by the intersection of the narrow and broadsides,comprising a table for supporting one broadside of the assembly with theother broadside facing outwardly, means supporting the table forrotation about its center, a sewing machine embodying sewinginstrumentalitr'es adapted to operate on the corner at the outwardlyfacing side of the mattress, a carriage, means mounting the carriageadjacent the table for movement radially with respect to the center ofrotation of the table, means on the carriage supporting the sewingmachine thereon for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axisof rotation of the table, means operatively connecting the table and thecarriage operable to cause the carriage to follow the contour of thetable as the latter is rotated, and power operable means for effectingrotation of the table to present successive portions of the edges to thesewing instrumentalities.

12. A machine according to claim 8, including means mounting the sewingmachine on the carriage for movement relative thereto and for yieldablyurging it towards the table and a positioning member associated with thesewing machine operable by engagement with the narrow edge of theassembly to cause said sewing machine to follow local changes in thecontour of said narrow edge.

13. A machine for operating on a mattress assembly embodying a core andcovering panels for joining the contiguous edges of the panels,comprising a base, a table mounted on said base for rotation about anaxis perpendicular to its center, a carriage including a pedestalmounted on the base at one side of the table for movement radially withrespect to the axis of rotation of the table, a sewing machine mountedon the pedestal adjacent the top of the table, means interconnecting thecarriage and table operable to cause the sewing machine to follow thecontour of the table as the latter is rotated relative thereto, andmeans for adjusting the vertical position of the table relative to thesewing machine according to the thickness of the mattress being operatedon.

14. A machine for operating on a edge of a mattress assembly, at theintersection of the narrow side with one broadside, comprising a base, aturret mounted on the base for rotation about a vertical axis, acarriage including a pedestal mounted on the base at one side of theturret for movement radially with respect to the axis of rotation of theturret, a table mounted on the turret for supporting a mattress assemblyfor rotation therewith, means for effecting rotation of the turret andreciprocation of the carriage to cause the carriage to follow thecontour of the table, a sewing machine mounted on the pedestal forradial movement thereon, as the carriage follows the contour of thetable, said pedestal supporting the sewing machine at a predeterminedfixed height relative to the base and means on the turret for adjustingthe table vertically with respect to the sewing machine.

15. A machine for operating on a mattress assembly, at the edges formedby the intersection of the narrow side with one broadside comprising atable supported for rotation about an axis perpendicular to its surface,said table being adapted to support the mattress assembly with said onebroadside facing outwardly, a carriage supported adjacent the table formovement radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the table, asewing machine mounted on the carriage with its sewing instrumentalitiesat a predetermined level, means interconnecting the table and thecarriage for causing the carriage to follow the contour of the table asthe latter is rotated, means operable to hold the mattress assembly onthe table in a state of compression such that the outwardly facing sideand the sewing instrumentalities are in a substantially common plane sothat said instrumentalities are in operative relation to the edge of themattress assembly at the outwardly facing side and means for efiectingrotation of the table and reciprocal movement of the carriage to causesaid instrumentalities to traverse said edge of the mattress assembly.

16. A machine according to claim 15, wherein said mean operable to holdthe mattress assembly in compression comprises a platen supportedadjacent and parallel to the table for rotation about an axis coincidingwith the axis of the table and means for moving the platen towards thetable to apply compression to the mattress assembly resting thereon.

17. A machine according to claim 15, wherein said means operable to holdthe mattress assembly in the state of compression comprises a platen andmeans mounting it adjacent the table in parallel relation thereto forrotation about an axis coinciding with the axis of the rotation of thetable and for movement toward and away from the table.

18. A machine according to claim 15, wherein the means operable to holdthe mattress assembly on the table in the state of compression comprisesa platen, and the means mounting it comprises a column adjacent thetable substantially diametrically opposite the carriage, an armpivotally supported at one end on the column, in a position parallel tothe table, said arm being movable in an are from a position in which itslongitudinal axis is in alignment with the center of rotation of thetable to a position laterally thereof, a shaft rotatably mounted at thedistal end of the arm in a position such that its axis coincides withthe center of rotation of the table when the axis of the arm is alignedwith the center of the table, means securing said platen to the shaft atthe underside of the arm, said shaft being movable with the arm toeffect movement of the platen towards the table, and means on the arm atits upper side operable to effect movement of the shaft on the arm.

19. A machine according to claim 18, comprising means for effectinglateral movement of the arm.

20. A machine according to claim 18, comprising means for limitinglateral movement of the arm.

21. A machine according to claim 18, comprising means at the lower sideof the arm and the upper side of the platen cooperable when engaged toprevent rotation of the platen relative to the axis of its supportingshaft.

1. A machine for operating on a mattress assembly comprising a core andcovering panels for joining the contiguous edges of the covering panelsat the edges constituted by the intersections of the narrow side withthe broadsides, comprising a table supporting the assembly with onebroad side facing outwardly, means supporting the table for rotationabout its center, instrumentalities adapted to operate on the edges atthe outwardly facing side to join said edges, a carriage on which theinstrumentalities are mounted, a track disposed radially with respect tothe center of rotation of the table on which the carriage is mounted formovement to and from the center of rotation of the table, meansconnecting the table and said carriage operable to hold the carriage ata predetermined position wit respect to the edge of the table, such thatsaid instrumentalities supported thereby are in operative engagementwith respect to said contiguous edges of the covering panels at saidoutwardly facing edge of the assembly, and means for effecting rotationof the table relative to said instrumentalities to present successiveportions of said contiguous edges of the panels to saidinstrumentalities.
 2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein saidinstrumentalities comprise means for sewing said edges of the panels. 3.A machine according to claim 1, wherein said instrumentalities comprisemeans for applying a binding to said edges of the panels and sewing thebinding strip thereto.
 4. A machine according to claim 1, wherein saidmeans for rotating the table comprises a motor and there is means forcontrolling the operation of the motor to reduce the rate of rotation ofthe table as the corners approach the instrumentalities and then restorethe rate of rotation as the corners recede from the instrumentalities.5. A machine according to claim 4, wherein said means comprises amicroswitch in the motor circuit and a cam operable by engagement with adisengagement from the microswitch as the corners approach and recedefrom the instrumentalities to decrease the rate of rotation from itsnormal rate to a lesser rate and then restoring it to its normal rate.6. A machine according to claim 4, wherein said means comprises amicroswitch mounted on the table for rotation therewith, a springpressed arm supported with an end in engagement with the microswitch,and a cam on the table support, operable as a corner approaches theinstrumentalities to cause said arm to actuate the microswitch to slowthe motor down and when it recedes from the instrumentalities to actuatethe main switch to cause the motor to return to its normal speed.
 7. Amachine according to claim 4, wherein said means comprises a microswitchmounted on the tablE, a spring pressed arm supported in engagement withthe microswitch holding it inoperative, a spindle to one end of whichthe arm is fixed, said spindle being pivotally supported with its otherend adjacent the support for the table, a roller on said end of thespindle and a cam mounted on the support adjacent the path along whichthe spindle is moved by rotation of the table, at a position along saidpath such that as a corner of the table approaches the instrumentalitiesthe cam will engage the roller at said end of the spindle and effectactuation of the microswitch to slow the rate of rotation of the tableand as it recedes the instrumentalities the cam will disengage theroller and cause the spindle to disengage the microswitch to restore thetable to its normal rate of rotation.
 8. A machine for operating on amattress assembly comprising a core and covering panels for joining thecontiguous edges of the covering panels at the edges constituted by theintersections of the narrow side with the broad sides, comprising atable for supporting the assembly with one broad side facing outwardly,means supporting the table for rotation about a fixed center, a sewingmachine embodying sewing instrumentalities adapted to operate on saidedge facing outwardly, a carriage on which the sewing machine ismounted, a track disposed radially with respect to the center ofrotation of the table on which the carriage is mounted for movement toand from the center of rotation of the table, means connecting the tableand said carriage operable to hold the carriage at a predeterminedposition with respect to the edge of the table, such that the sewinginstrumentalities of the sewing machine supported thereby are inoperative engagement with relation to said contiguous edges of thecovering panels at said outwardly facing edges of the core and means foreffecting rotation of the table relative to the sewing machine topresent successive portions of said contiguous edges of the panels tosaid instrumentalities.
 9. A machine according to claim 8, includingpower operable means on the carriage and kinematic means connecting thetable and carriage operable by said power operable means to effectrotation of the table relative to the carriage and the sewing machinesupported thereby.
 10. A machine according to claim 8, including poweroperable means on the carriage operable connected to the tables foreffecting rotation of the table relative to the carriage, an operatorsupporting platform supported by the carriage upon which an operator mayride with the sewing machine as the latter moves inwardly and outwardlyrelative to the center of rotation of the table to enable manipulationof the work during the sewing operation and a control device on thecarriage by means of which the operator may stop, start and regulateoperation of said power operable means.
 11. A machine for operating on amattress assembly comprising a core and covering panels, for joining thecontiguous edges of the panels at the edges constituted by theintersection of the narrow and broadsides, comprising a table forsupporting one broadside of the assembly with the other broadside facingoutwardly, means supporting the table for rotation about its center, asewing machine embodying sewing instrumentalities adapted to operate onthe corner at the outwardly facing side of the mattress, a carriage,means mounting the carriage adjacent the table for movement radiallywith respect to the center of rotation of the table, means on thecarriage supporting the sewing machine thereon for pivotal movementabout an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the table, meansoperatively connecting the table and the carriage operable to cause thecarriage to follow the contour of the table as the latter is rotated,and power operable means for effecting rotation of the table to presentsuccessive portions of the edges to the sewing instrumentalities.
 12. Amachine according to claim 8, including means mounting the sewingMachine on the carriage for movement relative thereto and for yieldablyurging it towards the table and a positioning member associated with thesewing machine operable by engagement with the narrow edge of theassembly to cause said sewing machine to follow local changes in thecontour of said narrow edge.
 13. A machine for operating on a mattressassembly embodying a core and covering panels for joining the contiguousedges of the panels, comprising a base, a table mounted on said base forrotation about an axis perpendicular to its center, a carriage includinga pedestal mounted on the base at one side of the table for movementradially with respect to the axis of rotation of the table, a sewingmachine mounted on the pedestal adjacent the top of the table, meansinterconnecting the carriage and table operable to cause the sewingmachine to follow the contour of the table as the latter is rotatedrelative thereto, and means for adjusting the vertical position of thetable relative to the sewing machine according to the thickness of themattress being operated on.
 14. A machine for operating on a edge of amattress assembly, at the intersection of the narrow side with onebroadside, comprising a base, a turret mounted on the base for rotationabout a vertical axis, a carriage including a pedestal mounted on thebase at one side of the turret for movement radially with respect to theaxis of rotation of the turret, a table mounted on the turret forsupporting a mattress assembly for rotation therewith, means foreffecting rotation of the turret and reciprocation of the carriage tocause the carriage to follow the contour of the table, a sewing machinemounted on the pedestal for radial movement thereon, as the carriagefollows the contour of the table, said pedestal supporting the sewingmachine at a predetermined fixed height relative to the base and meanson the turret for adjusting the table vertically with respect to thesewing machine.
 15. A machine for operating on a mattress assembly, atthe edges formed by the intersection of the narrow side with onebroadside comprising a table supported for rotation about an axisperpendicular to its surface, said table being adapted to support themattress assembly with said one broadside facing outwardly, a carriagesupported adjacent the table for movement radially with respect to theaxis of rotation of the table, a sewing machine mounted on the carriagewith its sewing instrumentalities at a predetermined level, meansinterconnecting the table and the carriage for causing the carriage tofollow the contour of the table as the latter is rotated, means operableto hold the mattress assembly on the table in a state of compressionsuch that the outwardly facing side and the sewing instrumentalities arein a substantially common plane so that said instrumentalities are inoperative relation to the edge of the mattress assembly at the outwardlyfacing side and means for effecting rotation of the table and reciprocalmovement of the carriage to cause said instrumentalities to traversesaid edge of the mattress assembly.
 16. A machine according to claim 15,wherein said mean operable to hold the mattress assembly in compressioncomprises a platen supported adjacent and parallel to the table forrotation about an axis coinciding with the axis of the table and meansfor moving the platen towards the table to apply compression to themattress assembly resting thereon.
 17. A machine according to claim 15,wherein said means operable to hold the mattress assembly in the stateof compression comprises a platen and means mounting it adjacent thetable in parallel relation thereto for rotation about an axis coincidingwith the axis of the rotation of the table and for movement toward andaway from the table.
 18. A machine according to claim 15, wherein themeans operable to hold the mattress assembly on the table in the stateof compression comprises a platen, and the means mounting it comprises acolumn adjacent the table Substantially diametrically opposite thecarriage, an arm pivotally supported at one end on the column, in aposition parallel to the table, said arm being movable in an arc from aposition in which its longitudinal axis is in alignment with the centerof rotation of the table to a position laterally thereof, a shaftrotatably mounted at the distal end of the arm in a position such thatits axis coincides with the center of rotation of the table when theaxis of the arm is aligned with the center of the table, means securingsaid platen to the shaft at the underside of the arm, said shaft beingmovable with the arm to effect movement of the platen towards the table,and means on the arm at its upper side operable to effect movement ofthe shaft on the arm.
 19. A machine according to claim 18, comprisingmeans for effecting lateral movement of the arm.
 20. A machine accordingto claim 18, comprising means for limiting lateral movement of the arm.21. A machine according to claim 18, comprising means at the lower sideof the arm and the upper side of the platen cooperable when engaged toprevent rotation of the platen relative to the axis of its supportingshaft.